A clog in your sewer line can lead to a wide range of problems and expenses. Leaky pipes, broken fixtures and water damage to your home or business are all expenses that can occur. It is important to investigate a potential problem at the first sign of trouble.

What signs should you look for?

One of the first signs that you could have roots in your sewer line comes out of the bathroom. Yes, the bathroom. If you suddenly notice that water is backing up out of the toilet or a drain, you could have a clogged sewer line.

Believe it or not, your home will attempt to tell you when something is wrong. Except the language it uses will be more in the way of gurgles. For example, after you hear a wash cycle finish, listen to other water sources in your home such as a sink or drain. If you hear what sounds like a gargling of some sort, odds are you have a drain issue.

If you begin to notice tree roots near your house, you may want to be extra cautious and have your drains inspected by a professional regularly. It is always best if you can stop a problem before it starts.

If you find yourself experiencing any of these signs, it is important to contact a licensed plumber right away. They will be able to correctly diagnose your problem with either a camera or other device and determine if a chemical or manual removal is necessary.

Tree roots in sewer lines may not seem like that big of deal. After all, most of us would think that all we have to do is cut down and remove the offending tree. Problem solved. But did you know that tree roots will continue to live underground and grow for years even after the tree has been removed?

In fact, tree roots in sewer lines can cause all sorts of major problems, including flooding and the build up of hydrogen sulfide. Commonly referred to as "sewer gas" or "stink damp", hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs. The gas is created when organic matter decays in an environment without oxygen gas, such as sewer lines. The gas is extremely poisonous, but it's also very flammable, and therefore very explosive. Remember that classic scene with Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? That's the level of lethal stank we're talking about here.

So what's a simple, cost-effective way for getting rid of tree roots in sewer lines? We've already ruled out removing the tree above ground, since the roots go on living anyway. Digging down to replace the clogged pipes can be costly, time consuming, and labor intensive, and doesn't truly solve the long-term problem as the roots will continue to grow if left unattended. Chemical treatments designed to kill the roots and unclog your pipes can save you a lot of time and money.

Easy-to-apply and safe for the environment, chemical applications such as RootX foaming root killer use a herbicide called Dichlobenil to decay and remove tree roots from sewer lines. The treatment also leaves behind a thin layer of herbicide to keep new sets of roots from invading and clogging your pipes. It also saves you a ton of time, as a full application takes only 30 minutes. The picture included below shows just how effective RootX is.

So there you have it. Not only is RootX a proven way for getting rid of tree roots in sewer lines, but it's also quick, easy, and cost-effective.

Winter has a tendency of wreaking havoc on our homes and our businesses. It is often not until we have the below zero windchill when we remember that old drafty window or pick up a new snow shovel after the one from last year broke. Not to mention, all the bags of salt we must keep on hand for those icy days! Luckily, most of these scenarios are ones that do not hit the pocketbook too hard. Plumbing issues during these winter months have been known to be a little more expensive. The things you want to try and avoid are frozen pipes, cracks and leaks, and any type of flooding. Here are a few preventative maintenance tips that will help keep your home running efficiently

Insulate Exposed Pipes- Any water pipes, indoor ones included, that are exposed to cold drafts run the risk of freezing. Avoid this by insulating these pipes, as the risk for freezing is heightened with any time they are not in use.

Avoid Consecutive Showers- Try to space out showers during the day. This helps maintain a consistent water pressure and temperature. If this cannot be avoided, then try to wait at least 10 minutes between them.

Check Water Flow- Remember to turn on every water valve in your home randomly. Unused pipes have the ability to freeze quickly if they are not used. Write little reminders on the calender in order to help you remember if need be.

Avoid Grease in Pipes- This is one that stands true throughout the entire year, not just winter. Grease and oils are hard on pipes and drains, so try to think twice before letting any go down your garbage disposal. Catch any unwanted grease prior to it going down the drain. If you let it harden it can easily be emptied into a trash can.

Keep drains running smoothly. If you notice a delay in a water drain, treat it quickly to prevent a larger clogging issue from happening.

If you suspect you have a treatment with your septic system or pipes, contact us today!

RootX® is a simple, environmentally-friendly and proven way to effectively kill tree roots in septic tanks without killing trees. Utilizing the herbicide Dichloberil, the formula kills the pesky root on contact, saving time and money. A septic tank covers a large portion of land; usually it is close to tree roots or other vegetation. Attracted to the water in a septic tank, tree roots often work their way into the tank through its drainpipes or cracks, creating blockage. As the root of the tree continues to grow and gain larger access to your pipes, the chance of those blocked septic pipes completely breaking and leaking sewage increases, causing your system to fail.If you suspect that you have tree roots making their way into your pipes, it is in your best interest to use RootX® before things get out of hand.

Using RootX® to eliminate tree roots in septic tanks:

Use 8 pounds of RootX® in septic tank per 1,000 gallons of septic tank capacity.

Pour the RootX® aquatic herbicide and foaming agent directly from the jar into a small pail and mix the two components together. DO NOT ADD WATER.

Pour the DRY RootX® product directly into the septic tank or into the clean-out that leads to the septic tank.

If you are applying through a clean-out pour 5 gallons of water per pound of RootX® root killer used to activate the root-killing foam. Do not over-dilute. The foam acts as a carrying agent, lifting the herbicide to the top where 90 percent of roots grow.

The dead roots decay and are carried out with the natural flow.

The foam leaves a thin layer of the RootX® herbicide to prevent re-growth.

One of the most common questions that we get asked is how to apply RootX correctly. The two methods for application are by using either the clean out, or flushing it down the toilet. While both methods are similar, there are a couple of differences.Instructions for the clean out method:First you are going to want to gather all of the materials needed. These include your RootX jar, a bucket, and a stir stick. You are going to want to then pour the RootX into the bucket. You will notice a paper divider in the jar, this was used to keep the chemicals separated until ready to use. Remove this from the jar and discard. Next, you are going to want to use the stir stick to thoroughly mix the dry components in the bucket. Do not add water at this time. Make sure that you mix very well and completely, as this will ensure the most optimal foaming and root coating.Now is the time to pour the dry RootX down your clean out valve. Once your bucket is empty, pour 5 gallons of water down the valve, per pound of product used. You should be able to some of the foaming action at work!Now, for those using the toilet method:You are going to want to follow all the same steps of the clean out method until you get to the step where you empty the bucket. Before you empty the bucket into the toilet, you are going to want to see how fast your toilet flushes. If it seems to run a little slow, pour the bucket into the toilet as it is flushing. If it seems to drain at a normal rate, then empty the bucket into the toilet bowl, and then flush. The foaming action will start quickly. After the toilet has flushed, add the same amount of water, 5 gallons per pound of product into your toilet.As much as you can, you are going to want to limit water usage for the following 4-6 hours following a RootX application.The best time of year for application is early fall through late spring. Be careful to avoid times when the ground is frozen however.

Pesky tree roots can wreak havoc on your sewer systems. Just because you want to kill the roots does not mean that you are looking at how to kill a tree. It is possible to merely kill the intrusive roots without causing damage to the tree.With the RootX® foaming technology it is easier than ever. Utilizing the herbicide Dichlobenil, the formula kills the pesky roots on contact. This is a great solution for either maintaining your pipes, or in conjunction with mechanical cutting.Mechanical cutting is when a specialist comes out and manually removes the roots using a mechanical auger. This is similar to a saw blade and is temporarily very effective. However, it leaves the remaining fine roots, and actually stimulates regrowth. This is the ideal time for a RootX® application.When these two methods are combined, the end result is very effective. When RootX® is applied after the mechanical cutting, the layer that is left behind actually promotes bacterial growth, prohibiting this regrowth.While RootX®does not contain Copper Sulfate and is safe for all pipes, it also will not kill the tree itself, only the unwanted roots.